Parish Bulletin

PARISH NEWS

Witness Opportunities!

Much of “the News” would have us believe all is “doom and gloom” But standing back and getting things in perspective we see that isn’t so. In spite of challenges, difficulties, shames, injustices, unfairnesses and embarrassments we have it pretty good! And what a great time to be a Christian!

We have beautiful churches, the fruit of God’s blessings to us, freedom to worship God in our churches and in our lives and the ability to reach out to those in difficulties, exercising tolerance and openness with those who are different.

There is no denying we Christians confront some complex matters, distractions and diversions we need to deal with. At times waves of anti-religious antagonism crash around us and Christians in other lands suffer actual persecution.

Christianity is often belittled and sometimes even despised in the general media. Our personal faith and the Christianity which has underpinned our nation is under considerable challenge. Values that seemed so obvious they were non-issues a generation ago have been turned on their heads by indisputable new understandings of the world. Christians though have a fundamental understanding of creation and our relationship with the Creator which is enhanced through re-evaluation and re-contextualisation in the light of modern knowledge.

Malachi, writing about four centuries before Christ, dealt with complex social issues as we do, and reassures us in the Lord’s name that all will be well, while Paul reminds the Thessalonians to stay focussed and to live simply and, in the gospel, Jesus urges us not to “drop our bundle” in the face of challenges, wars, revolutions, natural disasters and other fearful sights and circumstances.

These are new opportunities, as Jesus tells us in our gospel (Lk 21:5-19), “to bear witness.” This is our chance to stand tall, living our lives, quietly and faithfully as examples to all. In this way we will find salvation ourselves and conversion of our fellow citizens.

Deacon Mark Kelly